Super Storm with Jimmy Fortune up The Indian Derby 2013

In the field of seventeen contenders for the McDowell Signature Premier Indian Derby (Gr1) 2013, few rooted for Super Storm, the challenger from Bangalore. The richest race of the land wore an open look right from the outset. The bookmakers were enticing the punters, offering lucrative odds and there was no clear favourite on the listing. The Crowd had kept pouring in right through the forenoon and the queue at all entrances of the Mahalaxmi racecourse was colourful and chirpy. The long line of cars added to the traffic snarls all around the racecourse. It was a typical Mc Dowell Signature Premier Indian Derby atmosphere and the RWITC had geared up extremely well to host the mammoth crowd which was around the expected lines of 30,000 new and familiar faces. Jim McGrath was the race caller especially flown in from the UK to call the race. “The atmosphere was as electric as I have seen anywhere in the world. The roar of the crowd got me going and I admit I was excited right from the time I set my foot at the racecourse. This was my first visit to India and I am here with my wife. We loved it here and would be keen to return,” said the popular commentator. As they shot out of the gates, the jostle for the vantage position was obvious, as Montezuma flew out of the gates and Angel Crown working to carry out his role as the pace maker. Both were way off the inner rails giving Super Storm more than enough room to ease into the lead. Super Storm led them into the backstretch and then settled down nicely to let Montezuma and Angel Crown play their role. Machiavellianism was right up with the pace, An Acquired Taste was prominently poised too. The rest followed in a cluster. Hemisphere and Wind Stream were in the rear. Shivalik Hero was not too prominent and raced well off the fence all through the journey. Colm O’Donoghue believed that the outer side of the track was a better option. He had mentioned that during an objection a day earlier. He was so convinced and rode out to his belief. As they neared the turn, Song Dynasty had improved to lead briefly; Montezuma and Angel Crown had done their bit and Machiavellianism started to accelerate and spurted ahead. Jimmy Fortune then set Super Storm alight under some strong handling Fortune drew menacingly close to Machiavellianism. At a crucial juncture, An Acquired Taste was struggle to find a clear passage. As Song Dynasty weakend, John was desperately looking for room. He found none and had to check his mount on more than one occasion. That was fatal and An Acquired Taste could never make it. Machiavellianism and Super Storm sparred for a few strides before Super Storm surged ahead. Wind Stream began to cover ground and Hemisphere too showed a good forward surge. With less than 100 to go, both had some ground to cover. Jimmy Fortune was taking no chances. He rode out persistently and kept Super Storm going to ward off the late threats and win amidst deafening cheers from the Grand Stands. This was an incredible victory! Super Storm did not have the luxury of the required rest and relaxation before an event of this magnitude. He had, after all, run a hard race just days before the Indian Derby. He had battled hard in the Bangalore Derby unable to topple the lead of Red Baron to end runner-up. Satish Narredu’s immense faith in Super Storm’s staying abilities is what made him pack Super Storm off to Mumbai.